December 25
Good evening and Merry Christmas! I hope and pray that this Advent Devotional series has been as much a blessing to you as it has been to me and my family. Here, on the 25th and last day of Advent, we are going to talk about one of the most important Christlike Character Traits that is also a fruit of the Spirit: Love. In our world today, we toss this term around so much that it has sadly lost a lot of its meaning. We can say back-to-back that we love our spouses and that we love potato chips (which I do!). But in Jesus’ day, there were at least nine different Greek words for love. In his book The Four Loves, C. S. Lewis focused on the most often used terms in Scripture. There was eros (ἔρως) for romantic love, storge (στοργή) for familial love, philia (φιλία) for friendship or brotherly love, and the focus of our devotional today agapé (ἀγάπη), which refers to an unconditional, selfless love. This fourth and final love is what best represents the love of Christ.
Jesus had existed for all of eternity in glory and perfect communion with the rest of the Godhead. But He unconditionally and selflessly left it all to enter into His creation, as a helpless baby in the small country town of Bethlehem. It wasn’t that we were worth it, or that He even needed anything that we could give Him. But on that first Christmas morning 2,000 years ago, Jesus displayed His agapé love by coming, living, and dying to redeem His lost children. The Apostle Paul describes the depths of Jesus’ Love, in his letter to the church in Philippi: “5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11). This Christmas day, let us all follow Paul’s command and strive to have this same attitude in ourselves: a selfless, unconditional Love for one another that flows directly from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His indwelling Holy Spirit. Merry Christmas Beloved, and may God richly bless you and your family in the New Year!
December 24
It’s Christmas Eve Beloved, which means this is our twenty-fourth Advent Devotional together. Today, we will be examining another gift of the Holy Spirit that the Apostle Paul lists in his letter to the Galatians: Peacefulness. The world talks a lot about it and people desperately seek it, but what exactly is it? The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “a state of feeling calm and not being worried” and Merriam-Webster says it is being “untroubled by conflict, agitation, or commotion.” Therefore, at its core, Peacefulness is an absence of anxiety and fear. Most people think that they will find peace if they finally get the perfect job, take the best vacations, find their “soulmate,” have enough money, or if their health is perfect. But statistics show that even when people believe they have achieved these and similar goals, they still lack Peacefulness. Why?
It is because man’s deepest and greatest need is to be reconciled back to a holy God. Even those who don’t know this truth, feel a sense of emptiness and anxiety about this life, a fear of losing everything: money, jobs, health, loved ones, even life itself. The only way to completely fill that emptiness and dispel that fear is to repent and put your total trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Jesus told His disciples on their last night together before His arrest and sacrifice: “27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27). You see, there is a direct relationship between Jesus’ peace and our hearts not being troubled or fearful. That is because those who are in Christ ultimately have nothing to fear in this life or the next. As the Apostle Paul told the church in Rome: “31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?…38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:31, 38-39). This Christmas Eve, regardless of your circumstances, and I know that many of you are going through horrible ordeals right now, put your total trust in Jesus Christ and you too can experience His Peacefulness (Philippians 4:4-7).
December 23
It is day twenty-three of our Advent Devotionals, a day our family affectionately calls “Christmas Eve Eve.” Today, we are going to look at a core Character Trait of God: Initiative. The Oxford Learners Dictionary defines it as “the ability to decide and act on your own without waiting for somebody to tell you what to do.” God is the Great Initiator, the “first cause” of the universe. On His Initiative, He literally spoke everything that is or ever will be into existence: “16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:16-17; cf. Genesis 1-2). On His Initiative, He carried out the greatest rescue mission of all eternity: “6 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16).
It is even by His Initiative that believers are called to His FREE gift of salvation and eternal life: “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Ephesians 2:1-5; cf. John 6:70; 13:18; 15:16, 19). God has literally chosen you to be conformed to the image of His Son (Ephesians 1:4-6). So, during this holiday season, when it is so easy to focus on what you are going to receive, remember that you have been Blessed to be a Blessing. Therefore, I encourage you to not wait for someone to ask you for something or help, but instead exercise your God-given Character Trait of Initiative and consider who you can share the love and blessing of Jesus Christ with this Christmas
December 22
Today is the Twenty-second Day of our Advent Devotionals, and if you’ve made it this far, you may already understand a little something about our next Christlike Character Trait: Perseverance. Merriam-Webster defines it as “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition.” We’ve all experienced various levels of perseverance in our lives, whether it was writing a paper, finishing a project, working to maintain a relationship, or caring for a loved one through a sickness. But for Believers, Perseverance or what we Baptists often call “Once Saved Always Saved” is also one of the core doctrines of our faith. It is the belief that once someone is saved, there is nothing they can do to lose their salvation. Jesus said, “27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28; cf. Ephesians 1:13; Romans 8:28-39; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:3; Philippians 1:6; Jude 24). Yes, each person is responsible to make a decision to receive God’s FREE gift of salvation through repentance and trust in the blood of Jesus Christ. But since it is a FREE gift, that means you didn’t earn it in the first place; therefore, you also can’t lose it.
Beloved, the key to understanding Perseverance in your faith is to keep your focus “on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2). It is true that to faithfully walk with Christ it requires an action of your own volition, to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling;” (Philippians 2:12). But even in this work of your will, it is God’s Holy Spirit and Sacred Word that are ultimately motivating you and empowering you to persevere. The Apostle Paul puts it this way: “13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13). So, as we approach the celebration of Christmas Day, if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, overdrawn, or just plain “Over it!” remember the Apostle John’s call to Perseverance: “4 You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4).
December 21
For the twenty-first day of our Advent Devotional series, we are going to explore the Christlike Character Trait of Loyalty. Dictionary.com defines it as “faithfulness to commitments or obligations.” Jesus is our perfect example of Loyalty: “27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:27-28). But Jesus not only gives Loyalty, He also demands it. In chapter 8 of Matthew’s Gospel, He challenged a series of men who thought they wanted to be disciples: “20 Jesus *said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”… 22 … “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”” (Matthew 8:20, 22). In chapter 10, He put it even more succinctly, “38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:38). Jesus doesn’t want our hallow religion; He wants our deepest relationship, one built on loyal and faithful commitment to follow Him. God revealed this same truth through the prophet Hosea: “6 For I delight in loyalty rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea 6:6).
One of the greatest examples of Christlike Loyalty is Ruth, who was faithful to her mother-in-law Naomi, in the face of dire circumstances: “16 But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. 17 Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.”” (Ruth 1:16-17). Over the last week it has been my privilege to experience another beautiful example of Christlike Loyalty, in the face of dire circumstances. If you’ve been following our Advent Devotionals, then you are most likely aware of the horrible car crash Lauren Worley suffered last Saturday night. From the moment her parents Chris and Mandy reached the site of the wreck, they have loyally not left her side. I know they would have even gone on the Life Flight if they had been allowed. Every day and night they are either in her ICU room or the small family room down the hall. They barely eat or sleep, continuing to wait, pray, cry, and hug the family and friends that come to support them. This Christmas Beloved, know that this is the kind of loving and faithful Loyalty that led our Savior to leave His heavenly throne to come into this world to rescue us that first Noel.
December 20
Today is our twentieth Advent Devotional together and we are going to consider the Christlike Character Trait of Dependability. Merriam-Webster defines it as “worthiness as the recipient of another’s trust or confidence.” I would like you to think of that one person in your life that you know you can always depend on, whether you need a ride to the airport or just someone to listen to your troubles. This is the one person you can count on to always be there, to keep it confidential, and to still be your friend no matter what you tell them. Well, in a perfect world, that should represent every Christian you know, because every Believer has been redeemed and reborn into the image of Jesus Christ and He is the single most dependable person who has ever lived.
Scripture is full of reminders of Jesus’ Dependability. Consider the “Reason for the Season” is that Jesus left His glorious heavenly throne and became incarnate, through the virgin Mary, to seek and save the lost: “14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14). After His baptism, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, but He never gave in or sinned: “10 Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”” (Matthew 4:10). On the night of His betrayal, Jesus asked the Father if there was some other way to pay for the sins of the world, but He did not waver: “9 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”” (Matthew 26:9). To save you and me, the King of Glory had to humble Himself to the point of the humiliating death of a criminal on a cross, but He joyfully accepted it: “2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2). And finally, consider that after His resurrection, Jesus forgave Peter three times for the three times that he had denied his Lord: “17 He *said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus *said to him, “Tend My sheep.” (John 21:17). Beloved, in a world full of unreliable people, this Christmas I encourage you to strive to faithfully characterize the Dependability of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so we can be the ones on whom others say they can always depend.
December 19
For our nineteenth Advent Devotional we are going to examine a Christlike Character Trait that we are called to continually pursue, but never fully attain: Humility. My wife likes to joke that if you say you are humble, then you’re not. That is because humility is “freedom from pride or arrogance” (Merriam-Webster). So, believing that you are humble means that you proudly already think too much of yourself. Sadly, at the bottom of almost all our sins are the roots of pride and arrogance. Our sinful nature makes us prone to see everything through a haughty and selfish lens that twists and distorts the truth about us, about others, and about God.
But, the power of God’s indwelling Holy Spirit and totally sufficient Word are able to literally transform our hearts and our lives into the humble image of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul describes Jesus’ Humility in his Philippian Epistle: “5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-12). Think of it, even though He was fully God, Jesus humbled Himself by also becoming fully human, humbled to the point of the most painful, humiliating death in the world, crucifixion. He suffered this to redeem those who would repent and follow Him.
Being Jesus’ disciple is more than just saying we believe in Him. We must truly believe in our hearts, which results in a fundamental transformation of our minds and our lives. Paul describes this transformation or metamorphosis in his letter to the Romans: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed [metamorphoō] by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2). Beloved, the only path to Christlikeness is through sacrificial Humility. So, this Christmas, humbly present your mind and your body to your Lord and Savior and He will transform and renew your mind and your life.
December 18
This is our eighteenth Advent Devotional together, which means there is only one more week until Christmas Morning! Our topic today is the Christlike Character Trait of Courage. Merriam-Webster defines it as the “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.” When I reflect on someone with Courage, I immediately think of my Dad, who fought in the Korean War, and the many other men and women who have risked their lives to serve and defend our great nation. The old saying goes, “Only two defending forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American soldier. One died for your soul and the other for your freedom.” It takes great Courage to put on the uniform, whether a solider, a police officer, or a first responder, and run toward the danger.
But have ever considered where true Courage comes from? My Dad always said that when the shooting started and people began to die, “There were no atheists in foxholes,” because every man, regardless of his faith, could be heard praying to God for help. The Bible tells us that this is actually very close to the truth. Courage is the absence or rejection of fear, and in Scripture, every time someone is told to “not be afraid” or “fear not,” they are also told why. The answer is always because of God! In Genesis 15, God said, “Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you…” (Genesis 15). In Isaiah, He said, “13 “For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’” (Isaiah 41:13). In Luke’s Christmas narrative, the angel says, “30…“Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30). And on His last night before His sacrificial death on Calvary’s cross, Jesus told His disciples, “33…In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”” (John 16:33). Beloved, this Christmas, whether you are opening gifts with friends or family, sharing the Gospel with strangers or enemies, or holding hands and praying around the hospital bed of a loved one, take Courage because Jesus Christ has promised to be “with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
December 17
It is the seventeenth day of our Advent Devotional series, and today we are going to look at the Christlike Character Trait of Kindness. It is another of the fruits of the Spirit from Paul’s letter to the Galatians: “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23). Because it flows from the power and character of the Holy Spirit, Christlike Kindness goes far beyond the world’s idea of just being “nice” to someone. It involves not only what we do for someone, but also how we feel about them.
All of us can fall into the trap of just being nice to someone because we want something from them, or maybe out of pity, or even to make us feel self-righteous. But God cares more about our hearts than He does our actions. He wants us, through the indwelling power of His Holy Spirit and the transforming power of His Holy Word, to literally think, feel, and act like His Son. The Apostle Paul describes this new creation heart-attitude, in his letter to the Philippians: “3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 2:3-4ff). So, this Christmas, let us endeavor to not only treat others with Kindness, but also to see others with the humility of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
December 16
This is the sixteenth day and the sixteenth Christlike Character Trait of our 25 Advent Devotionals. Today, we are going to look at Thankfulness. The Century Dictionary defines it as an “acknowledgment of a favor received.” It is very similar to gratitude, but where that is focused on your heart and attitude, Thankfulness is more about what you actually do. Let’s imagine the same scene we had with gratitude: It’s Christmas morning and your mom, dad, grandparent, or spouse has given you the gift that you’ve always wanted. You may feel a great gratitude toward them, but if you sit there stoically, with a blank look on your face, instead of getting up and hugging them, then you have not been thankful!
God wants your heart, but He also wants your worship! It’s sort of like the argument about attending church. It is true that you don’t have to attend church to be saved. But if you have been saved and truly believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, who left His heavenly throne to live and die, so that you could have eternal life with Him, how could you not want to thank Him and worship Him? The Bible tells us that Thankfulness is the natural outpouring of a heart grateful to God for salvation. Paul told the Thessalonians, “16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). The Psalmist says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For His lovingkindness is everlasting. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary” (Psalm 107:1-2). This Christmas, with all the family, fun, and food, let’s make sure that our celebrations are focused on Thankfulness for the Reason for the Season, Jesus Christ our Lord!
December 15
On this fifteenth day of our Advent Devotions, we are going to investigate the Christlike Character Trait of Generosity. Dictionary.com defines it as a “readiness or liberality in giving.” The Bible is clear that our God is a generous God: “11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11). He has freely given us this incredible universe, life, food, family, joy, and food. I mention food twice because I love food and I’m always amazed by how much of God’s glory is edible. But the greatest evidence of God’s Generosity is the giving of His only Son, Jesus Christ: “16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16; cf. Ephesians 1:3-14).
Since we were made in God’s image and saved for His glory, we are supposed to represent Him in this fallen world. Therefore, we are to exude a character of godly Generosity. We can do this in many different ways. It can be through freely investing your time, maybe by visiting someone who is sick or shut in. It can be through eagerly doing acts of service, maybe raking someone’s leaves, or doing simple repairs around their homes. And yes, it can also be through sharing with others the financial resources that God has entrusted to you.
However, there are two keys to godly Generosity that I want us to remember this Christmas. First, God blesses those who generously bless others for His namesake: “24 There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. 25 The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered.” (Proverbs 11:24-25). And second, godly Generosity is not just the act itself, it is also the heart motivation of the person giving: “6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). So, this Christmas, I urge you to promote a character of godly Generosity, by giving freely and cheerfully of your time, talent, and treasure for the glory of God.
December 14
Today is the fourteenth day of our Advent Devotions and we are going to examine the Christlike Character Trait of Respect. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “politeness, honor, and care shown towards someone or something that is considered important,” and Merriam-Webster says it is “high or special regard: esteem.” Sadly, respect is becoming a rare occurrence in our society. Every day, we see criminals blatantly walking out of stores with stolen merchandise, people disobeying and fighting with police officers, politicians selling their influence, and families being torn apart by internal conflict and strife. The Apostle Paul warned his protégé Timothy that days like these were coming, “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:1-4).
In Paul’s warning, we see what I believe is the root cause of the decline of respect in our culture. People have become lovers of self and everything that goes with it: money, arrogance, conceit, and pleasure, instead of being lovers of God. Every person is made in the image of God, so if someone does not respect God, they will also not respect one another. But when we place our deepest love on our Lord and Savior, we are able to see Him in the people around us and give them the respect they are due. That is why Jesus said, “37… “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39). True Christian love and respect must flow from God to us and then to others. So, this Christmas, if you find yourself not giving proper Respect to others: your parents, teachers, employers, friends, and government officials, then check your heart to see if you have replaced your love for God with love for yourself. And if you have, repent, and return to your first love, Jesus Christ our Lord.
December 13
It is the 13th day of our Advent Devotional, and today our Christlike Character Trait is another fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “the quality of being calm, kind, or soft…of not being violent, severe, or strong.” Unfortunately, when we think of Gentleness and meekness, our culture has trained us to envision weakness. We often picture the fifty-pound weakling being bullied by the bigger and stronger person or the coward afraid to get involved. But Jesus teaches us that Gentleness and meekness are better defined as “power under control.” In the New Testament, we often translate these terms from the same Greek word (prautēs / πραΰτης). It was used to describe powerful wild animals, like horses, that had been tamed by the bridle and the bit. So, when we think of Christian Gentleness or meekness, instead of picturing weakness, we should imagine a muscular 2,000-pound horse that could do incredible feats of strength and power but can also be easily controlled by its master.
Jesus Christ is our greatest example of true Gentleness, of power under control. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.” (Matthew 11:29). He literally is the Creator of the Universe, who holds everything together in His power; but He is also so gentle that children, the sick, and sinners find comfort and rest in His presence (cf. Colossians 1:15-20; John 1:3; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6). As we saw yesterday, Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of God, and when we surrender to His leading, He produces His spiritual fruit in our character: “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23). So, this Christmas, remember that true Gentleness and meekness are NOT characterized by fear and weakness. Instead, it is the power of the Holy Spirit in you, that is under the complete control of your gentle Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
December 12
On the twelfth day of Christmas, we are not going to talk about “12 Drummers Drumming,” but instead, the Christlike Character Trait of Self-Control. One of my favorite childhood memories was making Christmas cookies. It was a big event in our home and there were always extra hands around to help and to steal a chocolate chip or a piece of dough. How many of you can still remember your Mom leaving a fresh batch of cookies on the counter to cool and telling you NOT to eat any until later? It was literally “kid torture,” as the smell wafted through the house, and it took every ounce of my ten-year-old Self-Control to not get in trouble by sneaking a cookie off the plate.
Even though that is a relatively harmless example, it really does get at the heart of our Self-Control or lack thereof. Before we were saved, we were slaves to sin and our sinful desires (cf. Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). It was virtually impossible to control our lusts and desires. Even if we managed to not eat the proverbial cookie, we still struggled with thinking about it, imagining it, scheming for it, and yes, sometimes indulging in it. But now, we have been set FREE by the blood of Jesus Christ, shed for the forgiveness of our sins. Free not only from the penalty of sin, but also from the power of sin. When the Holy Spirit takes up a permanent residence in our hearts and souls, we are given the power and freedom to overcome sin in our lives and our minds because those who are free in Christ, are free indeed!
This new found freedom is called Self-Control, and just like Patience from the tenth day of our Advent Calendar, it is a fruit of the Spirit: “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23). Even though it is a gift of the Holy Spirit, it is not a guarantee that we will always choose obedience and victory. Walking worthy with Jesus requires an ongoing conscious surrender of our will to His, so that His Spirit can transform us day by day and decision by decision into the image of Christ. This Christmas, I urge you to sow the seed of obedience to Jesus, so that you can reap the Holy Spirit’s fruit of Self-Control in your character.
December 11
It’s December 11th, and I hope and pray that you and your family are being blessed by our daily Advent Devotionals. Today, we are going to examine the Christlike Character Trait of Honesty. A recent Gallup poll on ethics and honesty reported that Americans rank their members of Congress second to last, only slightly better than the dreaded dinner time telemarketing caller. Our nation has become so permeated with lying and half-truths that most people are finding it hard to trust anyone. It may seem like a new development, but it began in the Garden of Eden. Satan first lied to Adam and Eve when He questioned God’s honesty in His instructions: “Did God actually say…” (Genesis 3:1). God confronted them after their sinful rebellion and they both tried to blame someone else: the woman, the serpent, even God Himself for giving the woman to Adam (Genesis 3:11-13).
But lying and half-truths are not supposed to characterize Christ’s redeemed followers. Jesus instructed us in the Sermon on the Mount: “37 But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil.” (Matthew 5:37). This is because, as the author of Hebrews tells us, “…it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18). Therefore, we must strive to speak truth in both the big things and the little things. For years, I have told men that I discipled to not believe the world’s advice to lie to your wives, just to keep the peace. You know the old sayings about answering questions like “How do I look in this dress?” or “Did you like dinner?” Glorifying your God and having your wife trust you is so much more important than avoiding an awkward moment. But that does not mean that we have a license to insult or injure! We are to be a people of grace and peace, so answers like these: “I love you in that red dress better” or “you make so many other meals that I really love” are both gentle and honest. This Christmas, Beloved, let us strive to cultivate our Honesty, making our yes, our yes and our no, our no. We will not only glorify our God, who gave up His life for ours, but we will also have better families, marriages, and churches.
December 10
This is the tenth day of our Advent Devotional, and today we are going to talk about the Christlike Character Trait of Patience. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “the ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed.” Sadly, it is one of the causalities of our technologically sophisticated society, where just about everything is only a download or a swipe away. I know I’m going to sound like an old man, but when we were young, before the invention of the VCR, DVD, and even the internet, if you wanted to watch a particular Christmas special, you had one chance each year. You would search the paper TV Guide to find what day and time it aired, and on which of the only three available channels. And then you waited, and you waited, and you waited just a little more. And if you were like me, you usually didn’t wait without complaining or becoming annoyed.
Now, I’m not saying that we should reject technological advancements. I enjoy streaming and binging shows just as much as the next guy. But because we are Christ followers, sojourning through a foreign and hostile world, where the devil and his minions are prowling like roaring lions, looking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8). Maybe we should consider whether we are preparing our families to patiently and joyfully wait on the Lord or are we leaving them vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks?
The Apostle Paul tells us that Christian Patience is a gift of the Holy Spirit: “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23). This means that being truly patient is more than just an act of the human will or a habit we can develop. The Lord’s Patience isn’t like a pill or a magic spell that just happens. It is the natural manifestation of a heart that rests in the sovereign will and timing of God. So, this Christmas, as we celebrate the coming of the Christ, which occurred at exactly the right time, after hundreds and hundreds of years of waiting, let our commitment to follow Jesus allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate His gift of Patience in our hearts.
December 9
I’m so glad that you have joined us on this Advent Journey to Christmas! It is the ninth day of our Devotional series and today we are looking at the Christlike Character Trait of: Diligence. Merriam-Webster defines it as a “steady, earnest, and energetic effort: devoted and painstaking work and application to accomplish an undertaking” (Merriam-Webster). I have found that few worthwhile accomplishments are made without a commitment to Diligence. Yes, it is true that the greatest blessing in the entire universe is completed totally without works. “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). But even that FREE gift of God’s grace generates in us a Holy Spirit inspired compulsion to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (cf. Philippians 2:12-13). In fact, the Bible repeatedly teaches us that the greatest proof of our salvation is not a prayer we prayed, a raising of our hand, or walking of an aisle. It’s the God-given Diligence to follow Jesus Christ our Lord. That is why the Apostle Peter exhorts us: “10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.” (2 Peter 1:10-11)
In the New Testament we often translate Diligence from a form of the Greek word spoudazō (σπουδάζω: “to be eager to do something, with the implication of readiness to expend energy and effort— ‘to be eager, eagerness, devotion.’”) It has a very similar meaning to Diligence, but it focuses a little more on the attitude that causes us to do something energetically: eagerness! You see, God cares a great deal more about our hearts than He does our actions. So, if we do a lot of “good works,” but our heart is not eagerly in it, for the love of God, then it prophets us nothing (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:1-7). But when we commit our hearts first and foremost to love God and reveal His glory, all our work becomes worship. So, this Christmas I pray that you will cultivate the Christlike Character Trait of Diligence: eagerly, steadfastly, and energetically following Jesus and desiring that His will be done in your life, in your family, and in this world.
December 8
The Christlike Character Trait that we are going to examine on this eighth day of our Advent Devotional is: Gratitude. It is very common for us to think of Gratitude and thankfulness as the same, but they aren’t. Thankfulness is better thought of as a temporary emotional response or reaction. Imagine this scene: On Christmas morning, your mom, dad, grandparent, or spouse gives you a gift that you’ve always wanted, the natural response would be thankfulness. You will most likely get up, hug them, and thank them profusely. On the other hand, Gratitude is less of an emotion and more a matter of the heart. It has less to do with your circumstances than with your state of mind. It is actually closely associated with the similar word attitude. Someone can have an attitude of Gratitude even when things are not going well, and the opposite is also true. I’ve often joked that if you have a bad attitude or a critical spirit, even if you won a million dollars, your first response would not be of gratefulness, it would be complaining about the taxes you now owed.
Gratitude is an especially important character trait for Christians because we are supposed to know that our God is sovereign over every aspect of His world and His love for us far exceeds our understanding. Therefore, everything we encounter, whether we initially consider it good or bad, it is all part of God’s perfect will and plan for our lives. Paul told the church in Rome, “28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28). This does not mean that we are to be thankful when something bad happens to us. But when our heart attitude is right with Christ, we can still have a spirit of Gratitude that finds contentment and peace in knowing that in His economy, nothing is in vain or wasted, not even our tears or suffering. This Christmas, whether the perfect gift is under the tree or not, let us consider the author of Hebrews’ encouragement to worship with a heart of Christlike Gratitude: “28 Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;” (Hebrews 12:28)
December 7
It is the seventh day of our Advent Devotional and since you’ve made it this far, it is fitting that our Christlike Character Trait for today is: Encouragement. As we go through our daily lives, there are many different influences or voices that we can listen to and sadly many of them are negative. In our fallen world, there are far too many people who are more than willing to tell you that either something is impossible or that you are not good enough. One of Satan’s favorites lies, which he whispers in your ear, is that you have sinned too much for God to love you and that no one could ever truly forgive you after what you have done. The truth is God loves you so much that He would send His only Son to live the perfect life, which you could not do, and to die to pay for your sins, so you would not have to. Jesus told us that “13 Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13), and that is exactly what He did for you on Calvary’s cross!
Jesus knows that each of us will experience the pressure of negative voices in our lives, whether they are coming from family, friends, coaches, employers, or maybe even from ourselves. So, out of love, He not only died for you, but He also placed you into His family, the church. He has surrounded you with fellow believers, to encourage you and remind you of God’s love and promises. The Apostle Paul made it perfectly clear that this is an important part of being in God’s family, “11 Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). And it doesn’t need to be elaborate; it can be as simple as a call, a card, a text, or a hug. Just know that our sovereign God has chosen you to be an expression of His love and He has gifted and placed you right where you are supposed to be. So, this Christmas, prayerfully look around you for those who need your Encouragement and give it as freely as God has given it to you in Christ Jesus.
December 6
For the sixth day of our Advent Devotional series, we are going to look at the Christlike Character Trait of Honor. Merriam-Webster defines honor as a “good name or public esteem: reputation.” We often think of honor when we see soldiers, police officers, and firefighters, who are willing to lay down their lives to save other people. They are known for their commitment and sacrifice, and they guard their reputation very carefully. The Bible often refers to God’s Honor as His glory and His name’s sake and He too guards it very carefully: “9 Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; And deliver us and forgive our sins for Your name’s sake.” (Psalm 79:9). It is true that God acts out of His love, mercy, grace, justice, and compassion, but in the end His ultimate motivation is His glory and Honor! That is because He is the single greatest good and blessing that anyone could ever know. If His Honor is tarnished, people may not worship Him properly or maybe not even find eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ, who sacrificed His life for the forgiveness of our sins.
As Christians, we are literally called by Jesus’ name, so if we act in an ungodly manner, such as when we are selfish, mean, or unloving, it not only hurts our own reputation, but it also damages Jesus’ glory and name’s sake. Therefore, it is important for our lives to be characterized by Honor. The Apostle Paul calls this godly lifestyle being “above reproach,” which means trying very hard to be blameless or without blame (cf. 2 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:6-7). Although we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God, once we are saved, we have the indwelling power of God’s Holy Spirit and His Word to lead us to follow Jesus in His righteousness (cf. Roman 3:23; Philippians 2:12-13). So far in our Advent Devotionals, we have focused on strengthening various godly attributes in our lives like Commitment, Contentment, and Compassion. But today, I want us to prayerfully consider what actions we should avoid, in order, to guard our and God’s reputation and Honor.
December 5
Welcome to the fifth day of our Advent Devotional and our next Christlike Character Trait: Compassion. The American Heritage Dictionary defines Compassion as a “Deep awareness of the suffering of another accompanied by the wish to relieve it.” Of all the times of the year that we should have Compassion for one another it should be Christmas. Even the secular view of the holiday focuses on the joy of giving and caring for those who are less fortunate. Anyone who has watched or read about Dickens’ Ebenezer Scrooge and seen the lessons of the three spirits that visited him understand the importance of having Compassion at Christmas.
We should all have a natural desire to share Compassion because we are made in the image of God and the Bible tells us that “8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.” (Psalm 103:8). Jesus is the perfect image of the invisible God and He continually displayed compassion for the sick, the poor, the distressed, and the lost: “36 Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36). Jesus saw that our greatest suffering was our sin and separation from God, so He left His heavenly throne to give His life as a ransom for all those who would repent and trust in Him.
As we seek to cultivate this vital character trait in the life of a Christian, we must understand that it is more than just feeling pity or sympathy for someone else. It must also be accompanied by a strong desire to get involved and help alleviate their suffering. This Christmas, I encourage you and your family to look around and identify those who need a touch of Jesus’ Compassion, whether they are across the street or across the ocean. And yes, we should definitely pray for them, but we should also consider the possibility that we are God’s answer to those prayers.
December 4
This is the fourth day of our Grace Baptist Advent Calendar and today we are going to look at the Christlike Character Trait of Contentment. This one is especially hard this time of year because we are so often asked by our loved ones, “What do you want for Christmas?” Even if we don’t have a desire for a particular item, we feel obliged to think of something that the individual may buy to allow them to bless us. And before we know it, our old drill, saw, or phone just doesn’t measure up anymore and we find ourselves longing for the new one.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had an indelible spirit of Contentment: “20 Jesus *said to him, ‘The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’” (Matthew 8:20). The Oxford Dictionary defines contentment as “a feeling of being happy or satisfied.” And in that definition lies the reason why Jesus was so content: He was completely satisfied with whatever His Father provided for Him. Even when facing the cruelty of the cross and the wrath of God for our sins, Jesus still trusted His Father’s provision: “39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.’” (Matthew 26:39)
To help us emulate His character of Contentment, Jesus taught us in the Sermon on the Mount: “31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:31-33; cf. Philippians 4:11-13). I’m not suggesting that we stop making Christmas lists this year, but maybe we could put growing the Kingdom of God at the top of our lists and then as a family pray and talk about how God might accomplish it through us. Perhaps, instead of one more new thing for ourselves, we might make or buy a card or gift for one of our widows, put some gift money toward the Lottie Moon Offering, buy a few Gideon Bibles from the Christmas tree display at church, or any number of ways that can bless others in the name of Jesus?
December 3
On this third day of our Advent Calendar, we want to explore the Christlike character trait of Sacrifice. If you’ve ever watched children, you’ve probably experienced the classic argument over who gets to play with a particular toy. It really doesn’t matter to whom it belongs or who had it first. All that matters at that moment is that both children want it! If you are like me, you probably tried to explain to one of the children that it was best to let the other child have an opportunity to play with the toy. So, whether you knew it or not, you were teaching them a lesson in sacrifice.
As adults we may not throw tantrums anymore, but our sinful human nature makes us want what we want, when we want it! Paul, however, told the Ephesian church that Jesus showed us a much different way of loving sacrifice: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (Ephesians 5:1-2). When we commit ourselves to following Christ and serving others in His name, we have to also practice loving sacrifice. There are only so many hours in a day therefore we must learn to give up our often-tight hold on our time, talent, and treasure, so that God may use it for His glory. This Christmas, I encourage you to develop a Christlike character of Sacrifice by praying and talking with your family about what you are willing to give up in these three areas, so God can invest it in His kingdom.
December 2
Today is the 2nd day of our virtual Advent Calendar and we are going to look at our second Christlike character trait: Servanthood. By the world’s definition, happiness and success are when you can sit back and have everyone serve you. But Jesus showed us a different way: “45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45). He taught us that true joy and victory in the kingdom of God comes from developing a heart that wants to serve others, even if you are the one in charge.
The Gospel of John chapter 10 tells us that on the night that Jesus was betrayed, while He was eating the Passover meal with His disciples, He: “4 *got up from supper, and *laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. 5 Then He *poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded…12 So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” (John 13:4-5, 12-16). Jesus was not giving us a lesson in proper foot hygiene. He was teaching us that serving one another is the true path to blessedness!
Too many people today suffer from low self-esteem, isolation, loneliness, and a general emptiness from a lack of purpose. That is because God made us all in His image, so whether we realize it or not, we have an embedded programming to serve Him and one another. When we repent and believe in Jesus, His indwelling Holy Spirit transforms that programming into a natural and just desire that, when acted upon, brings us great joy and purpose. This time of year, it is so easy to think about and make lists of “what we want.” Instead, let us develop a character of Servanthood by praying about what others want and need! And when we actively serve one another, we will both bring glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and we will also experience the great Joy of Christmas!
December 1
This Christmas, I thought it would be wonderful for us to share a Church wide Advent Calendar together. I’ve been reading an interesting one called “A 25-Day Countdown to a Character-Filled Christmas” by Megan Ann Scheibner, a homeschool mom of eight children and wife of Steve Scheibner, who was supposed to be the pilot of American Airlines Flight 11 out of Boston, MA on September 11, 2001. Just as with our upcoming series “The Case for Christmas” we are only going to use the topics of this book, not the specific material, as a springboard for a virtual Advent Calendar that we will post every day leading up to Christmas morning.
So, the first Christlike character I want us to consider this Christmas is: Commitment. We live in a world dominated by subscription services and commercialism, where it seems that no one ever demands we commit to anything long term. But Jesus Christ demands our commitment! We just saw last week, in our study of Matthew chapter 10, that He boldly declared: “38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” (Matthew 10:38).
Jesus not only demands commitment, He is also characterized by commitment! A little later in Matthew chapter 16, after Peter proclaimed that “16…“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”” (Matthew 16:16), Jesus declared His commitment to go to the cross to pay for man’s sins as a sacrificial atonement. “21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”” (Matthew 16:21-23; cf. Hebrews 12:2)
Beloved, every Christian’s journey begins with a commitment to repent of their sins and follow Jesus, believing that He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God, who takes away the sin of the world with His sacrificial death and resurrection. I want us all this Christmas to adopt the Christlike Character Trait of Commitment and commit ourselves today to preparing our hearts and our character for the coming of our King!
